ScorpioN

ScorpioN is now accepting questions! Submit here: thescorpion@megadeth.com. Before you ask a question, read the SCORPION ARCHIVES and make sure that your question has not already been answered! ScorpioN may not be able to answer every question asked. Please only submit one question per email in an easy to read format. Check back here to www.megadeth.com/scorpion often to see if your question was selected! ScorpioN section is updated every Monday.

10/01/2007

Dear Scorpion,

I saw Megadeth in late 2004, and I must say, what an amazing show! I remember Dave talking about the doctors that told him he'd never play again. Good thing they were mistaken. Exodus opened, and was great
too. My question is about the track that was played right before Dave and the boys hit the stage. It was a broadcast as if in a totalitarian state, threatening that people out after curfew, etc, "will .be.shot."
This sounded very familiar to me, and I believe that I've heard it before, but what is it? Help!!

Thanks,

Glenn

Ps: Washington is Next is my new favorite song.

The intro music you are referring to is called "Shut Up, Be Happy."
This is actually the opening track on Ice T's third album, "The Iceberg/Freedom of Speech...Just Watch What You Say." The music in the background of the song is Black Sabbath's "Black Sabbath" and the voice you hear delivering the spoken word is Jello Biafra, the singer of the Dead Kennedys, who is a self-proclaimed anarchist and member of the Green Party. Here are the lyrics, reprinted courtesy of Sire Records:

We interrupt this program with a special bulletin:
America is now under martial law.
All constitutional rights have been suspended.
Stay in your homes.
Do not attempt to contact love ones, insurance agent or attorney.
Shut up.
Do not attempt to think or depression may occur.
Stay in your homes.
Curfew is at 7 PM sharp after work.
Anyone caught outside of gates of their suveillance sectors after curfew will be shot.
Remain calm, do not panic.
Your neighborhood watch officer will be by to collect urine examples in the morning.
Anyone gaught intefering with the collection of urine examples will be shot.
Stay in your homes, remain calm.
The number one enemy of progress is questions.
National security is more important than individual will.
All sports broadcasts will proceed as normal.
No more than two people may gather anywhere without permission.
Use only the drugs described by your boss or supervisor.
Shut up, be happy.
Obey all orders without question.
The comfort you demanded is now mandatory.
Be happy.
At last everything is done for you

09/23/2007

Dear Scorpion,

I just saw Dave, Glen, Shawn and James in St. Louis and was blown away by Shawn's new drum kit!

Could you please tell me is that a 1 of a kind set up with the cage and all and is it hand painted or is the artwork just "printed" on?

Thanks!

Dave

A.K.A WOKEUPDED777 IN THE FORUMS.

I presented your question about the new kit to Shawn Drover and this is what he had to say:

"The 'Mega-cage' was made by Furguson fabrication, out of Tempe, Arizona, who specialize in creating funny-cars/hot-rods, etc. For my drum-kit, the artwork was taken from the toxic oil drum on the U.A.
record, then applied by "Rockenwraps", which is owned by Scott Rockenfield of Queensryche. The wrap can be taken off the kit, retaining the original finish, which on my kit is a brown/black bubinga wood finish."

Good stuff, gotta love those caged drummers! Until next time, keep those questions coming and happy Autumn.

09/17/2007

Scorpion,

Was the song Holy wars...The punishment due originally about the troubles in Ireland?
I just heard some stuff that they (megadeth) had been fed information by the IRA and had to be escorted off stage during a show...

Loyal fan
Stephen B

Some believe "Holy Wars" to be about Northern Ireland specifically, but Dave Mustaine says "'Holy Wars' doesn't talk about any specific place in time. It doesn't talk about any country. It just says, 'Don't look now to Israel it might be YOUR homeland.'"

On an Israeli radio interview, Mustaine said: "I've mentioned Israel in songs before, in Holy Wars. Holy wars don't necessarily have to start in Israel. It can be anywhere. There are so many holy wars taking place in the world right now anyway. People are dying for a cause. It's so unbelievable."

However, when asked about his state of mind when writing the song, he responded "Well, I'd been misinformed by someone from Ireland. When I was over there, I asked him, 'What is goin' on here,' because somebody said there was someone with a box of T-shirts bootlegging Megadeth shirts. I would want to get them confiscated because that's basically the way the band stays alive out there is by selling merchandise and records. They said, 'Well, you can't do that. Those guys are sellin' T-shirts for the cause.' And I went, 'What the hell's the cause?' And they go, 'Well, it's the IRA.' What's this all about? And the guy goes, 'Well, Catholics are against the Protestants are against the Catholics, ya know.' And to me, any religion that thinks it's better than another religion is full of it, ya know? I can't really say how I really feel without getting vulgar and I would rather, you know, instead of having what I feel oppressed, I would rather watch what I say and just say that I think that a prejudice religion is a sin in itself, and they're trying to disguise their sins by saying one religion is better than the other and that's blaspheme, and they oughta talk to their god because I'm sure he would tell them what's happening."

So there we have the Irish connection to the song. Hope this clears things up!

09/10/2007

Scorpion,

Ive been goin crazy over this one for ages (since i bought peace sells but who's buying?) can you find out when black friday actually is and dont worry im not goin to be paint devils on peoples walls.

p.s. ur inbox must be so full
p.s.s. who r you ? or are you keeping it top secret?

thanx anyway
WEEMAN
ENGLAND

Black Friday is the Friday after Thanksgiving every year. It is one of the busiest shopping days of the year, since it marks the first day of the Christmas shopping season. On this day, the stores tend to have big sales starting very early in the morning, and people line up to get their hands on the best deals. Some people tend to get a little claustrophobic with all those big crowds of folks fighting over toys and sweaters, so to them, the day is "black".

Historically, the term Black Friday has also been used to refer to some very tough days. These included 1869 when the Fisk-Gould Scandal caused financial disaster in the US, and 1974 during bombings in Ireland.

As for the song itself, Dave Mustaine explained:
"'Black Friday' was inspired by a great drummer named Dijon Carruthers whose father was Ben Carruthers from the movie 'The Dirty Dozen.'
Dijon's brother was Cain Carruthers from the ska band The Untouchables.
Dijon was pretty much a band member until we found out that he lied about being 'black' to us. I am not against having any person in our band, regardless of color, but Dijon said he was Spanish. One day his brother walked in and Dijon nearly died on the spot. We used the material that we were working on as we kept going, but we knew that a man that is embarrassed about his family, race, or upbringing, would never fit our creed."

p.s. yes, I get a lot of junk mail, but it is worth it when I get interesting questions from people like yourself, so keep them coming p.s.s. I'm the Scorpion of course!

09/03/2007

Hey

The other day I was just staring at the front of my Copy of Rust In Peace, and noticed, the two guys sitting to Vic's left are Mikhail Gorbachev and George H.W. Bush, but I have no idea who the other three guys in the hanger are.

Who are they?

Brendan from, Australia

You are indeed correct about the two gentlemen at Vic Rattlehead's left being Gorbachev and Bush. And to answer your question, to the right of Mr. Rattlehead in the Hangar, we have Richard von Weizsäcker, Toshiki Kaifu and John Major. Dr. von Weizsäcker was the president of Germany during the timeframe when Rust in Peace was released in 1990. Likewise, Toshiki Kaifu was Prime Minister of Japan at the time, albeit for only a very short-lived time. And John Major was Prime Minister of the UK and leader of the British conservative party. Collectively, these five world leaders represent the five so-called "Superpowers" of the world during the early 1990s.

That concludes this week's history lesson. Keep your questions coming and have a safe and happy Labour Day.

08/27/2007

Scorpion,

There really isn't much information on Dave's pre-Metallica band Panic. Could we have a little information on the band such as whether or not any recordings/demos will surface or how the band broke up (I heard Dave was bored, the other guys died, etc.), or what the band sounded like?

Erik
Pennsylvania

I asked Dave about his first band Panic, and here is what he had to say:

"Panic was my first real band  Drummer Mike Leftwych, Bass Bob Evans, Guitar Tom Queck, Singer Pat Voeks, and I Dave Mustaine was lead guitar.
And although I had gotten together and played with various other friends and acquaintances, Panic would be my first band that I actually performed anything under. Songs like, The Mechanix, Jump In The Fire, Childsaint, and several other riffs that made it into the Metallica or Megadeth fields.

The band was a five piece and we hardly ever played or rehearsed toward the end. We just went to parties, set-up and shredded, and by the time people knew what hit them, we were already packing it back up or we had taken over the place. One of the low lights for Panic was the first show ended in tragedy with a car crash resulting in the deaths of both of my friends, sound man Joe (it has been so long I have forgotten his last name), and drummer Mike Leftwych.

There were never any tapes made that I know of, certainly no demo tapes made up. But you never know, they could have had a bootlegger there from before.

This was my first and only amateur band. My next two bands, Megadeth and Metallica, would sell almost 100,000,000 records worldwide."

08/20/2007

Hello,

I was curious about Dave's injury. I've never seen much information about it, and was curious what type of techniques the doctor recommended to overcome it. I'm glad to see he is back at it full swing, and it is very reassuring, for I too suffer from injuries which alter my ability to play for extended periods of time.

Thank you for your time,

justplainpaul

I believe the injury you are referring to is a condition Dave Mustaine suffered with back in 2002. This condition is called "Saturday Night Palsy," which is a nickname for the compression of the radial ulnar nerve in Dave's right bicep and occurred after ha fell asleep with his arm draped over the back of a chair. The doctors said the possibility of recovery at the time was not favorable, and that Dave would only be able to gain up to 80% of the usage of his arm, if that, and never play guitar again. But this grim prognosis was simply not acceptable to Dave.

He visited his doctor in Scottsdale, AZ at the time, Raj Singh, and was referred to four months of rigorous physical therapy at the Spire Institute, which included acupuncture, chiropractic adjustments, and weight training. Finally, after this intensive therapy, Dr. Singh pronounced Dave to be fully recovered and ready to play again. Dave essentially had to relearn guitar, with the assistance of teacher Ric Flauding. During that time, Megadeth was on hiatus, but after Dave's recovery, they returned, bigger and better than ever with the release of The System Has Failed. And the rest, as they say mate, is history. So hopefully Dave's story can provide some inspiration for you to overcome your injuries and continue to rock. Until next time, keep those questions rolling in and I'll keep those answers rolling out!

08/13/2007

Dear Scorpion,

Do you know if Megadeth will be doing a Gigantour '07? If not is it possible in '08? Also a quick one do you know if Megadeth are going to release another new record

thanx, BETO

Dearest Beto,

Well mate, if you live in Australia, you are in luck for witnessing Gigantour 2007. So far, the only tour dates announced for Gigantour this year are in Oz in November, you lucky Aussies! After a stint in the US and Japan on the Tour of Duty, Megadeth returns to Australia for a handful of dates with Gigantour 2007. The festival this year includes performances by Static X, Devildriver, and Lacuna Coil, with Megadeth as headliner of course. Wait a minute, Megadeth will be there, Lacuna Coil will be there...doesn't that mean that Cristina Scabbia will be there too? I think I will keep to myself what my amazing powers of deduction have revealed to me in the epiphany I have just had. Anyway, tickets are all on sale August 23rd, so if you want to be a part of Gigantour 2007, I suggest you get on that!

As for Gigantour 2008, Dave Mustaine has been consistently hinting that it is in the works, but is at the very early stages of planning. The bands for the lineup are still being contacted and solidified, and dates/venues being plotted out. So keep your eyes glued to the Killing Road section for new developments.

A new album? Didn't United Abominations just come out like 3 months ago? I think Megadeth will probably let this one marinate for a while before working on new material, but you can see cuts from it performed live on the Tour of Duty this fall in the US and Japan, and at Gigantour 2007 in Australia. However, Dave Mustaine has already indicated that he is anxious to get started writing new songs and has some concepts already floating around in his brain. Sounds good to me! Until next time, keep those questions rolling in and I'll see you on the Tour of Duty.

08/06/2007

Dear ScorpioN,

Where in Buenos Aires was 'That One Night' Filmed?

Joe M

Dearest Joe,

"That One Night (Live in Buenos Aires)" was filmed in Obras Stadium (Estadio Obras) on October 9th, 2005. The 17 song setlist was performed for over 25,000 fans! The venue often features concerts from national acts, including KISS and the Ramones, Van Halen, Iron Maiden and Faith No More, as well as wrestling matches from 100% Lucha. The DVD was released on March 6th earlier this year. The DVD is now certified Gold.

Speaking of That One Night, it was recently announced that the double live CD that goes along with the DVD will be released on September 4th, 2007 by Image Entertainment. I get the question all the time about when they will release a CD version of the DVD. Well, you asked for it, you got it! Only one more month away! This CD set includes additional songs not recorded on the DVD such as "Skin 'O My Teeth", "Die Dead Enough" and "Angry Again". Dave considered this one of the "greatest nights of his life" and it really comes through on the DVD. I can't wait to hear the CD with the added tracks, so you can bet your ole pal the Scorp will be first in line at his local music store to get a copy.
Until next time, keep those questions coming and see you on the road!

07/30/2007

Dear Scorpion,

Who is the girl on the new "A Tout Le Monde"?

Mark P.

Dearest Mark,

The female vocals on A Tout Le Monde (Set Me Free) on United Abominations were done by none other than the lovely and talented Cristina Scabbia of Lacuna Coil. Dave Mustaine explains how she was chosen and how the song was transformed from the original: "I'd wanted to hear that song as a duet, since it truly was a song of love. But the person had to be perfect; had to be angelic. I decided, and I have sang 'A Tout Le Monde' again with Cristina Scabbia because she is that person. I had Lisa Marie Presley confirmed, as well as two other attempts, but Cristina was the obvious choice for our metal community.
The song was sped up a little, like it was supposed to be on 'Youthanasia' before all the tempos were turned down. It has a 50% longer solo of original Glen Drover lead guitar blending into the original [Marty] Friedman solo, and launching off of that at the end of the solo taking it up a little bit more."

Cristina was born on 6-6-72 in Milan, Italy. She started in Lacuna Coil as a backup singer and now has taken the role of frontwoman. Her influences include older bands like Genesis, Zeppelin, and even traditional Italian music. Lacuna has toured with bands like Rob Zombie and Moonspell, and have been part of such festivals as Ozzfest 2006, the
2007 Jaegermeister Tour, and the Hottest Chicks in Metal Tour, for which your ole pal the Scorp had a front row seat, to be sure mate. You can catch Lacuna Coil on the Euro festival circuit, with concerts such as Wacken Open Air next month, and at their Japanese show debut at Loudpark Festival this October. Until next time, keep your questions coming and try to keep cool.

07/23/2007

Hey scorpion,

My name is Erica and I am wondering a couple of things. 1 will Dave visit his myspace page I am trying to befriend him and have sent him some messages while he was over seas. 2 will MEGADETH be touring back here in the states again? I go mainly to Hartford CT or like SPAC in NY. I have been dying to see them and possibly meet him for years now. I have dedicated my myspace page and my dirtbag music page to him and MEGADETH. Love him fan forever.

Sincerely,
Erica

Two for the price of one huh? Ok, well let's get to it. To answer your first question, Dave Mustaine does not have an OFFICIAL individual Myspace page at this point. There are many impostors out there, so don't be fooled by the so-called Dave Mustaine pages. These are fan pages, and not the man himself. What he does have is the official Megadeth Myspace, conveniently located at http://www.myspace.com/megadeth. This site is run by our very own System Lord, Megannie. Currently, the official Megadeth Myspace has almost 178,000 fans, so Miss Annie certainly has her hands full! She updates the page often, so your friend request will be answered shortly, if it has not already since you wrote to me. Patience little grasshopper! And there is a disclaimer on the page that "Megadeth reads myspace messages, however it is impossible for the band to respond to each and all messages. Responding to each and all messages in itself would be a full time job." And I think we'd all prefer Dave to be a professional musician over a professional Myspacer! So keep writing to me here for all your Megadeth queries.

To answer your second question, Megadeth just officially announced the 2007 US Tour of Duty, which includes stops near your hometown. Your ole pal the Scorp has been to the east coast before so I know how easy it is to make the trek from one city to another there. Get your tickets early because New York City has already sold out! Keep an eye on the Killing Road at Megadeth.com for all the latest tour dates and sales stats. Until next time, keep your questions coming and see you on the road!

07/16/2007

Dear ScorpioN,

I just got my copy of Black Swan from the FYE special presale offer. This is such a killer tune, I'm wondering if you could tell us what it is about and why wasn't it on United Abominations? Thanks!!

Jessica

Dearest Jessica,

Isn't Black Swan a great song? One of my favorites from the new album too. I get this question a lot, so I asked Dave Mustaine what it was about and why it didn't make the cut for United Abominations. Here is what he told me: "Black Swan was just a peek into my past and things that creep me out a little bit."

I did a little bit of research on my own on this "black swan" fellow, and I found out that according to author Nassim Nicholas Taleb, a black swan is a large-impact, hard-to-predict, and rare event beyond the realm of normal expectations. Much of scientific discoveries for him are black swans"undirected" and unpredicted. The September 11 attacks are sometimes referred to as a black swan event. The term comes from the belief in Western culture that all swans should be white in color. So by that logic, a black swan would not exist. However, actual black swans were discovered in the 1600s, so the black swan term came to mean that a perceived impossibility actually came to pass.
When I asked him why this track didn't make the final cut on the most recent Megadeth album, Dave said "the reason that it wasn't on UA was that someone felt that A Tour Le Monde (Set Me Free) was a better song and switched them. ATLM was, as we all know, supposed to have been on the Japanese release for a specialty track, since Led Zep is one of my favorite bands." So there was a little bit of a switcheroo going down after the cover of Out on the Tiles was recorded it seems. Hope this clears things up, and don't let a black swan cross your path since it was just Friday the 13th!

07/02/2007

Dear ScorpioN

one day i was flicking through channels when i saw an episode of duck dodgers that was starring dave mustaine! and i was wondering, did someone fake Dave's voice or is that actually Dave's voice?

Brendan from Calgary, Alberta

Dearest Brendan,

No, you were not just hearing things. That was indeed the voice of Dave Mustaine, starring as himself. The episode of Duck Dodgers you are referring to is called "In Space, No-one Can Hear You Rock/Ridealong Calamity". It originally aired Saturday, November, 5th 2005 on the Cartoon/Boomerang Network. In this episode, the Martians create a weapon to drain energy from Earth's music and use its atomic power to destroy the Earth. Dodgers unfreezes Dave to play enough heavy metal to overload the device. Megaduck rules! Now I've always known Dave was a rock star, but to save the planet as well? My hat is off to you sir!

Duck Dodgers was not Mustaine's only television appearance. He has also been featured on Rock N Roll Jeopardy!, The Drew Carrey Show, Black Scorpion, Behind the Music, I Love the 80s, Never Mind the Buzzcocks, Top Ten, Headbanger's Ball, CNN, and several others. Seems he's had quite the tv career. Black Scorpion was my personal fav, natch. Keep those questions coming and Happy Independence Day!

06/25/2007

Dear Scorpion,

I've been a megadeth fan for quiet some time now. It has taken me a painstaking 3 1/2 years to obtain a copy of KIMB, I now own it completes the megadeth cd collection up to date. But I was slightly confused as i've heard a copy of megadeths cover song "these boots" and it was awesome, nothing to complain about there. But it is on my copy of KIMB 2002 re-issue that i've entered a dilemma, it seems for some reason the cover song has been censored? I was reading through the liner notes trying to find a damn good explanation for this, but to no prevail. so, i'm hoping you can shed some light on this issue? why did they take in my opinion the best bits of the song out and replace them with a half assed "BEEP" if you will?

Drew

Dear Drew,

The censorship of this song was a pretty good way of "sticking it to the man" so to speak. Dave Mustaine explains: "Some of you may be asking (don't feel alone, there were many others who did too), 'is 'Boots'
going to be on the re-release?'

"Well, unfortunately, there is a 'two-part' answer to your 1-part question. 1) Yes, and 2) No. Yes, the song is going to be including 'our version.' No, we had to change the "changes" I made to the original 'original' version. You see, initially the remake of 'These Boots Are Made For Walking' was a joke. I thought it was alright to have some fun with it, because the original version sucked. Lee Hazelwood, the song's original writer, didn't quite see the humor in this. But he or his handlers are bereft of more than a sense of humor. Upon hearing our version, we were notified that Lee Hazelwood had taken umbrage to our version and deemed it 'vile and offensive' or some shit like that. What is really vile and offensive is that the checks from the records we sold that were sent to him were cashed for ten years before he said anything about his being knighted and now morally superior to having the dosh.

"I guess that was the same time he was suddenly struck with selective amnesia. Didn't he let Frank Sinatra's daughter record this song too?
Wasn't Frank alleged to have had ties with the mafia? Since when is a red-headed guitarist more intimidating than the mob?

"It's great to see you have ascended to the moral mountaintop. I guess with your 'Seraph' status, you won't need the money we sent you from down here amongst the peasants. Hell, I think I see a mail carrier. It might just be a check from HRH as we speak. I'll get back to you later."

So there we have it. The cover of These Boots did make it on the re-release of KIMB, but the seriously censored version is an obvious jab at the oversensitivities of certain folks in the music business. Your ole pal the Scorp is glad to be on this side of the biz where I can just rock out without giving a second thought to politics!

Until next time, keep your questions coming, but make sure to set aside some time to get out and enjoy the Summer, my favourite season!

06/18/2007

Dear ScorpioN,

Hello, I'm a 13 year-old girl living in Wisconsin. I grew up listening to all sorts of Metal. My friends think I'm crazy. Anyhow I was just wondering if Glen and Shawn are related in any way? I've always been wondering, since they both have the same last name (Drover).

Thanks

Obsessed Metal Fan, Madison Guevara

Dear Madison from Wisconsin,

Yes, the Drovers are in fact related. Brothers to be exact. This power duo joined Megadeth back in 2004, so I am still surprised how often I get this question lately. When Shawn joined the band after Glen had officially become a member of Megadeth, Glen said "Getting my brother into the fold that was weird. For me getting into the band that was weird, for both of us to get in it's like lightning strikes twice in the same place, which doesn't usually happen. He brought a lot of positivity to the band. He's a team player. He's great to work with, there's a great chemistry between me and him because we've been playing together since we were ten." The Brothers Drover hail from Toronto, Canada although Shawn now calls Atlanta home. This makes Megadeth officially half Canadian. The two also play together in a band called Eidolon.

Apparently it is not all that uncommon for brothers to join together in metal bands. For example, the Abbott brothers were the backbone of Pantera and the Amott brothers played together in Arch Enemy. Of their relationship as family and bandmates, the Drovers have said they are "close" and "hardly ever fight." Although when asked who the worst person to share the bus with was on tour, Glen said "my brother!"

Aren't drummers always the messy ones? United Abominations is the Drover Brothers' recording debut with Megadeth and is in stores now.

06/11/2007

Dear Scorpion,

I've been into Megadeth for over 10 years now and they were actually the first band to influence me to play guitar. For this reason Im curious why Dave chose to leave ESP and start playing Dean Guitars.

Ben

'Ello Ben!

Dave Mustaine issued a press release as to why he left ESP a while back, and it went a little something like this. "After two successful years, I have decided to leave ESP guitars. This was a business decision and had nothing to do with the guitars or the manufacturing of the guitars, and I wish the staff of ESP, both in the USA and in Japan and Korea the very best of health and prosperity. Meanwhile, I am taking my Classic Metal V known formerly as a Jackson King V1 or an ESP DV8, and my new guitar design presently known as an Axxion, which was the recipient of the Gold Award from Guitar World Magazine for 2005 for new guitar designs with me. I will also be re-introducing through my new endorsement many special models, including re-issues of my old models from over the span of my career, as well as some retro V shapes, similar to the formerly known Jackson Y2KV or a Gibson Flying V. I will make my announcement and be attending the 2007 NAMM show to meet Megadeth fans and all metal fans, musicians of all styles-especially guitarists."

And as we would find out, lad, this mystery company turned out to be Dean. Of his new relationship with Dean, Mustaine says "The whole process has been surreal. It's been dream-like, but is more real than any dream I've ever had. They understand what a guitarist expects out of his gear, and we share a vision, a loyalty and an understanding of guitars. Working with Dean has been one of the greatest thrills for me as a musician." Keep your eyes pealed for the new VMNT signature model at a Dean dealer near you! See you on the flip side!

05/23/2007

Dear Scorpion,

I am curious as to how much communication Dave and the other members of the band have to bands like Dreamtheater, for example on the Gigantour 05' what goes into the selection of the bands? Is Dave friends with the members of the bands or does he just think of ideas to make the most ecclectic show to appeal to a vast audience. And also makes for excellent dvd's of the shows for fans to view.
Thank you for your time,
Barry Yeager
Philadelphia,Pa.

P.S. Looking forward to Megadeth's arrival in Philadelphia for the heaven and hell tour (tix bought and paid for !)

My dearest Yeagermeister,

One of the truly killer things about Gigantour is that Dave Mustaine hand picks every single band on the tour! All were chosen for special reasons based on diversity and musicianship. For example, Dream Theater was asked to be on the maiden voyage of Gigantour because Dave and Mike Portnoy became fast friends and wanted to tour together. Dream Theater recommended Symphony X for G1. Anthrax was an easy choice to finish up the tour, since they were one of the "pillars" of metal. Megadeth toured with Fear Factory back on the Reckoning Day tour, so they were a safe bet. Dave produced the Sanctuary CD "Refuge Denied" back in the day, and two members of Sanctuary went on to form Nevermore. It also helped that Glen and Shawn are Nevermore fans and that James MacDonough toured with them when he played bass for Iced Earth. Bobaflex was brought on as fresh new talent because Justis Mustaine, Dave's son, was a fan of the band. Talk about a lot of work and scrutiny! Your ole' pal the Scorp is willing to bet his bottom dollar that none of the leaders of these other "fests" put that kind of time and effort into picking the bands that bring all those lovely metal flavors to you kiddies! That's all for this week, but keep those question coming in and beware of the cicadas!

04/30/2007

Dear ScorpioN,

In the archive files u mention a facelift 4 Vic contest & then at the Heaven & Hell tour I got a closer look at the cover of the new cd United... . Vic has skin? Did I miss the memo or over look something on the website. Is there a story behind Vic having skin? If there is I sure would like it if u would enlighten me. Megadeth rocks. I have been a fan 4 about 16 years & finally saw them live 4 the first time(I know, shame on me) at gigantour. Seeing Dave live, no words 2 describe it. The energy at his shows r so intense.I promise my intention is 2 never miss another 1. Oh & I can't help it if almost every person I set my sights on converting 2 a Megadeth fan is assimilated in the blink of an eye. I open the door & Dave lures them in. I'm going 2 meet up with a band next week, maybe I'll be their new singer. My only issue is all they want 2 do is motley crew covers. By the end of our first phone call they were saying they could most likely play anything I requested. Wish me luck, I'm hoping 2 bring these poor boys into the fold.

Tell(Shewolf Forever)
From Edmonton

Well Tell, I'll tell ya... I had a chance to speak with the creator of the "revamped skinned Vic" John Lorenzi, and here is what he had to say:

"As most everyone here probably already knows, this all started back at DeviantArt. Dave Mustaine had orchestrated their biggest contest ever, with guitars for whoever could come up with a redesign for Vic Rattlehead. They provided a excerpt of the lyrics for "Skull Beneath the Skin" as a guide and inspiration. The essence of that song is pretty much the recipe for building this tormented character. The first piece I entered in the contest was the one most similar to the original design. Then I worked my way backwards in time with the next two designs. The idea behind my version of Vic, or what I wanted to see as the new Vic was to bring him back around to the beginning of his life story. I never had any intension to make a new Vic, but to take him back to when he actually became Vic Rattlehead. I mean, he had to have skin at some point right? That's how it played itself out in my head anyway. Whether or not I conveyed that remains to be seen.

Megadeth was back in the studio with the intent to bring it's sound to it's truest form, some of which was also heading back to it's beginning. It only seemed natural to head in that same direction. The end product for the album art was an amalgam of these pictures and a vision that Dave clearly already had. We communicated the tweaks and changes until he had what he wanted.

There was so much good art going on in the contest, like 3000 entries, it would've been easy to get lost in those numbers. By the end of the contest, I had entered three times, a trilogy, two of which ended in the top 11. Incidentally, for those of you keeping score, I didn't win, the contest anyways. When it was over it had appeared as though I lost twice. As far as my kids were concerned I won. They constantly tell me as they strum the air of their "imaginary" guitars. Collaborating with a music legend I think I won, even though some like to point out that I didn't. The glory alone should last me forever. It was an honor and a priveledge. Thanks Dave.

I'm a Californian, currently stranded in Colorado doing the starving artist thing with my wife and two boys. Right now I'm just waiting for the album like everyone else. I hope everyone enjoys the artwork as much as I enjoyed doing it."

So Tell, it looks like skin is in! Until next time...

04/05/2007

Dear ScorpioN,

Hi, I wanted to know if you know what the design on the front of the Cryptic Writings album means. Or is it just some random artwork? Thanks!

-Andrew

Well Drew, the cover was done by renowned album cover designer Hugh Syme. Mr. Syme has done artwork for such notable artists as Aerosmith, Nevermore, Queensryche, and Rush. Dave Mustaine gave the following description of this ancient symbol.

"It's called a veve ... It's a voodoo symbol... It means that you can enter into a premises, that it's safe and there is no poison. It's a warning telling you where you can and can not go. It's also a direction. Most of the hobos were people who practiced voodoo. They would go from building to building whether it was a shanty or it was a shack. They would go in there and they'd find chalk writings on the wall that told them if it was a safe place. It was usually done with a burnt stick... When I first got the artwork back it was littered with voodoo symbols and all kinds of stuff. I told them that it was too heavy. I didn't want anything on there that would give homage to pagan gods and shit like that. I want it to be about the music. As it is, that symbol right there, we don't really know exactly what the combination of everything is. We know pretty much what the breakdown of each symbol is but it's like crossing different kinds of medications. You take two separate medications and they have a different and combined effect. There might be something where those symbols counter another symbol and turn it into something else."

So there we have it mate. No poison, eh? Who needs that!?! Guess you won't be seeing your pal the Scorp in a veve shack anytime soon!

02/28/2007

Dear ScorpioN,

heya!

I'm one of the many Megadeth fans down under in NZ, wonderful place but sadly lacking in Metal influence and since we are so small we often get over looked when it comes to tours. With the release of the new album is there any chance we will be lucky enough to see Megadeth reach our shores anytime soon? It would make alot of New Zealanders very happy!!!

G'day mate!

While Megadeth would love to play everywhere in the world, the upcoming tour in support of United Abominations is said to be in very select cities only. So they probably won't be hitting NZ anytime in the very near future, but there is always a good chance! The best thing to do to get them to come to your country (and this goes for all of the countries out there that Megadeth doesn't get to as often as you'd like) is to create a buzz about the new album by joining the Street Team at Roadrunner Records and spreading the word about Megadeth to your local concert promoters. Megadeth has always been impressed with the Kiwis, and describes the fans there as "over the top"! Hopefully they will return sooner than later with your help!

02/05/2007

Hello scorpion,

i know that Dave's favourite arena is the one from Buenos Aires,Argentina ,and i saw some interviews saying that he loves argentina and stuff...

i just wanted to know if Mustaine also like Chile , cuz' i'm chilean and you know ... Dave is my hero

Benjamin

Santiago, Chile

Dave Mustaine=God Of Metal

'Ello Ben!

Mr. Mustaine indeed loves Chile! He has a very special relationship with Argentina where, incidentally, the new Megadeth live album "That One Night: Live in Buenos Aires" which will be available on CD and DVD on March 6, was taped. But he also loves Chile and its people with all their enthusiasm for Megadeth. He had this to say in "Mustaine Speaks" a while back:

"Well, the Chilean show was fantastic! To all the beautiful people of Chile, I am glad I got to see you all once again. You are fabulous and we love you all."

Now if that doesn't give you warm fuzzies Ben, especially right before Valentine's Day, then you must be made of stone!

12/18/2006

Dear ScorpioN,

A few years ago I got into Megadeth beacause of Peace Sells on Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, and I got the soundtrack for it. Then I got Greatest Hits, but Peace Sells sounded somehow different than Peace Sells on the GTA soundtrack. Am I crazy or were different versions used for their respective cds?

Dan K

Well Dan, looks like its off to the loony bin with ya. The version of Peace Sells on the GTA: Vice City soundtrack and on Back to the Start are the same. Maybe the version in GTA sounds shorter to you because you get killed in the game and have to start over before you can hear the whole song! Practice makes perfect mate.

09/18/2006

Dear ScorpioN,

I had a question about the new album's (United Abominations) cover. I thought that the winner's design of the Deviant Art Redesign Vic Contest would be on the new album cover. To my knowledge, the new Vic is not the deisgn from the contest. So, my question is why?

Adam from Ohio

The Deviant Art Redesign Vic contest never stated anything about the new album cover, or that the new redesigned Vic would be used for anything specific in the future. The contest asked artists to simply give Vic a "facelift", and the top three winners were awarded ESP guitars for their Vic creations. First prize won a LTD AXXION, second prize won a LTD DV8-R, and third won LTD DV200. Quite a group of prizes if you ask me mate.

08/21/2006

Dear ScorpioN,

I'm not gonna ask why you keep answering dumb questions about tours and even dumber questions about those questions. But anyway i was curious as to why Dave would let people wearing metallica shirts appear in the "peace sells" video during the "we the people" part where it shows a crowd of fans. Megadeth Rules

Mike.

Good, I'm glad you didn't ask it because that would just perpetuate more dumb questions about dumber questions. However, I'm still going to address your comment. I answered that "dumb question" because the guy who asked it wouldn't leave well enough alone...so I had to in order to get him to pipe down. You know, a "dumb question" is a matter of opinion too.

With that said, onto your inquiry. I seriously doubt that Dave stood at the door and acted as Fashion Police for the video shoot, and he was once a member of Metallica...so where is the harm in his fans wearing a t-shirt from a band that he was in previously? Really, the fans make more of an issue out of the Megadeth vs. Metallica issue than the band members do. It's been beat to death, and debated ad nauseum. We all clearly have outstanding taste in music, so can't we all just get along?

07/17/2006

Dear ScorpioN,

I wouldn't answer those people's questions even if I did know the answer. How many times can the same question be asked, When are they going to TOUR??? They need to research and read the F N MEGA site or BLABBERMOUTH.NET.

A REAL FAN WITH PATIENCE

D.S. FROM KY

Bloody hell, finally someone who agrees with me about all of this sodding whining and bs. Cheers to you mate.

06/01/06
Dear ScorpioN,
I have asked you this question once, but I have not received a response.
Will Megadeth be touring in the states this summer?
I hope so!
Matt
Charlotte, NC.

06/13/06
Dear ScorpioN,
Hey when the F are you going to answer my question about Megadeth touring this summer?
You are a real slacker man!
SheWolf used to answer all of our questions, promptly I might add.
Matt Sorbo
North Carolina

06/22/06
Email to the Webmaster from Matt: The Scorpion only answers website questions, usually from teenie boppers that no nothing about the band.(Take a look at the question & answer section.)I have e-mailed the Scorpion 2-3 times trying to find out if Megadeth will be touring the states at some point this year, and haven't gotten an answer back. Shewolf was the greatest! She took additonal time to actually e-mail us fans directly to answer our questions. Who ever you have doing this Scorpion thing, he is a real loser and surely not a plus to the bands website. TY Matt

Well Mr. Sorbo, I guess you can't read, or chose to ignore the following statement that can be found in the disclaimer at the bottom of this very page:

ScorpioN will not reply to all emails, and will not be able to answer every question asked.

With that said, you need to watch your smarmy tongue young man. You're messing with the wrong arachnid. How can you expect me to answer your question, if Megadeth themselves don't even know the answer? I CAN tell you that Megadeth is confirmed to play Metalway Festival in Spain on July 28 in Jerez and July 30 at the Fútbol de Santa Lucía in Gernika. So, with the utmost certainty, I can also tell you that they WON'T be playing anywhere in the U.S. on July 28th or 30th. I DON'T KNOW when the tour dates will be announced, but I can tell you that your best bet is to check here at megadeth.com to find out. They will be posted as soon as they are announced, it's not a conspiracy to keep the information from you, the information just isn't available yet. May I suggest that you sign up at the megadeth.com message boards, that will enable you to stay on top of all things Mega without pestering me all of the time. If you did your research and really "know" so much more about the band than these "teenie boppers", you wouldn't have to ask me such questions in the first place. If you are such a know it all fan, you would already know that Megadeth is currently in the studio recording their next album, which is slated to be released late this year, and that Gigantour will run from September thru October, and that no specific dates have been announced yet, or the line-up of bands. On Megadeth's Official My Space, Dave Mustaine said the following in his blog entry: "Gigantour 2006 starting the second week of September, until Middle of October", so may I also suggest that you take the time to check out that blog entry and more at www.myspace.com/megadeth. There is a plethora of Mega-information out there, you just have to get off yer lazy arse, search it out, and trust that as soon as we have any info concerning tour dates we will promptly post it for all to see.

06/12/2006

Dear ScorpioN,

I was wondering as it doesn't say on the site, how you actually join the Megadeth street team, hope you can help!

Thanks
Byrn

Megadeth Live!

All you need to do is contact a "Street Team Leader" via their email address, which can be found on the street team page here at megadeth.com. If there isnt a leader in your area, you can always e-mail megadeth.com's esteemed webmaster (webmaster@megadeth.com) about it.

06/05/2006

Dear ScorpioN,

what is the name of the song and album that I can find, (portion of the song goes like this). "Hello me its me again" in the video he is in a straight jacket and cell. thanx for your help.

Now that Megadeth is signed to Roadrunner Records, A strictly metal label, will the next release return Megadeth back to a speed/thrash metal style again and not as much pop like on KIMB or PSBWB? or will it be another TSHF, where all styles of megadeth are visible like how "Kick the Chair" sounds like it belongs on Rust In Peace and "The Scorpion" sounds like it belongs on Youthanasia

Thanks, Megafan,
Jaisen Wallace

by the way, you're cool enough to be tattoo' d on my back

MEGADETH RULES THE WORLD

I have to admit, I'm a bit baffled by your question mate. If you really believe that the word "pop" and the albums "Killing is My Business...and Business is Good!" and "Peace Sells...But Who's Buying?" belong in the same description (much less the same sentence) then we need to have a serious talk. That is VERY disturbing terminology to be used to describe those two albums. Dave Mustaine has said many times that each new album is not going to be "another ________" (fill in the blank with a Megadeth album title), and that it will be unique, new and different than all of their previous work. With that said, I'd say the chances of the new album being "another TSHF" are slim to none. I'd also say that their new record label having anything to do with the style of the album is bullocks...and that it will be Megadeth record that will reflect this day and age, much like all of their past albums have done at the time they were recorded.

In closing, I have a question for you my friend. When you got me tattooed on yer back...did it sting? ;-)~

05/22/2006

Dear ScorpioN,

Who does the voice for the cheating girlfriend on the song 1000 Times Goodbye?

Mike Powers

Her name is Heather Keckler, and she was my predecessor in this Q&A section. She worked on megadeth.com for many years as a columnist under different monikers such as "Miss Megadeth" during the Cryptic Writings era, "Catnip" around the time Risk was released, and ultimately she was the "She-Wolf" Q&A columnist that I replaced.